“I feel so sorry for my children when I know that I have a life-threatening disease - blood cancer.” Saying so, Dinh Thi Tam, 39, residing in Thuan Phuoc Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang, burst into tears.

Mrs. Dinh Thi Tam looks forward to returning home with her children soon. Photo: THU DUYEN

When lying on the hospital bed and struggling with blood cancer, Mrs. Tam always thinks about her children namely Ha Dinh Thien Bao, a 10^th grader of the Tran Phu Senior High School, and Ha Dinh Thien Ngan, a 5^th grader of the Vo Thi Sau Primary School. Notably, Bao was an excellent pupil at elementary and secondary levels for 9 years in a row.

The family of Mrs. Tam is very poor and they are living in a 40m² rental house in Thuan Phuoc Ward. Mrs. Tam and her husband, Mr. Ha Ngoc Minh, 43, mainly earn a living by working as construction helpers.

After Tet, Mr. Minh decided to go to Ho Chi Minh City to apply for a job, but soon he rushed home because he heard that his wife was seriously ill.

Mr. Minh is always standing by his wife's side. Nearly a month has passed with many worries piled up, his face is clearly haggard, his eyes cannot hide his fatigue. However, he is the breadwinner of the family, and he is becoming a solid spiritual prop for his wife and children.

In the dark room, the light from the study table reflected the sad face of Bao who is Mrs. Tam's first son.

Bao said “Since my mother got sick, the house has been very empty. I hope my mother gets well soon so she can return to the family. I hope both of my parents can be home for dinners like before”.

In order for his mother to find peace of mind to receive medical treatment, Bao pushes himself to gain better academic results which are considered as meaningful gifts and a spiritual medicine to ease the pain of his mother. When he goes to school by a bicycle his mother bought every morning, Bao sees that his mother is accompanying him on the way to school.

Lying on the hospital bed, Mrs. Tam confided that in the darkest and most difficult times, her two children are great motivation for her to fight the disease, and the active support from benefactors helps her continue to raise her hope to live.

Mr. Minh said that Tam's initial cost of radiotherapy is about VND150 million which is really too big for his family. In the past few days, thanks to the help of charity clubs, schools, residential groups and Party cells, this burden has been partly shared. However, the family is now desperately in need of financial assistance to cover Mrs. Tam’s medical costs, and to facilitate living expenses for their two children.

In order to support the family of Mrs. Tam to overcome difficulties, please contact Mr. Minh via his phone number 0932.464.468.

Reporting by THU DUYEN, LE THU - Translating by M.DUNG